Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: From: “notifications@eremaea.comnotifications@eremaea.com>” <notifications@eremaea.comnotifications@eremaea.com>> Date: 6 January 2014 4:02:39 am AEDT To: “birding-aus@vicnet.net.aubirding-aus@vicnet.net.au>” <birding-aus@vicnet.net.aubirding-aus@vicnet.net.au>> Subject: Birdline Victoria Weekly Update Birdline Victoria Published sightings for the week ending 5 Jan 2014. Sun 5 Jan Cape Barren Geese Willow Lodge Horse Paddocks in Bungower Rd, Tyabb 14 birds counted (not all in photo), this afternoon in the horse paddocks (north side of Bungower Rd) – often seen there. Snez Plunkett Black Falcon Glenrowan West A single bird seen flying and calling early this morning . Kate Daniel Sat 4 Jan Black Falcon, Peregrine Falcon Rowsley Valley Several raptors seen in a short time mainly around the Rowsley Fire Station. Goshawk also heard calling. Overcast, windy. Black Falcon (1) Flew past me, coming in directly from south of the fire station. Photos. Peregrine Falcon (1) Calling and attacking one of a pair of Whistling Kites near the fire station. Bernie McRitchie Sat 4 Jan Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Found Long-toed Stint late in day. Info and photo submitted to hopefully assist others: bird feeding on floating vegetation (even rising and falling with ripples of water underneath) in corner of Western lagoons, pond 9 nearest the pole with solar panel and the “Spit” reserve sign. A very helpful Red-necked Stint flew in to give a wonderful comparison (photo). Thanks to Steve, Simon, Marg, Richard. Craig Morley, David Tytherleigh Cape Barren Geese South end of McKirdys Road, Tyabb (Paddocks to the East) 3 Geese seen in a paddock around 6pm. The area is well known for CBG sightings and a large number regularly fly-over to this section of Western Port. More commonly seen in horse-paddocks in nearby Bungower Rd, and also now permanent residents at Moonlit Sanctuary a bit further up the Tybb-Tooradin Rd. I’ve not seen them in McKirdie Rd before. My camera is not good enough to zoom in that far. Snez Plunkett Spotted Harrier Heatherton Spotted Harrier (1) Great views, harrying low over Henry St quarry. Seen again later at Karkarook Park. Lewis Hiller Fri 3 Jan Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Long-toed Stint (1) seen on Western lagoons 9. Photo was taken through grass on the bank Richard Arnold Fri 3 Jan White-headed Pigeon Lake Bunga, Lakes Entrance Two males and a female White-headed, active at dusk. (Last reported from this site in September 2006). Two Wonga pigeons active at same site at dawn. Other unusual sightings at Lake Bunga on 3rd Jan include a pair of Great-crested Grebes, Little Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. Roger Francey Broad-billed Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee We spotted the Broad-billed Sandpiper at 11.30am where it was reported previously but to our surprise we found an additional 2 birds. The 3 birds were all feeding together at the western lagoons pond 5. We had very good views of a Long-toed Stint at T.Section lagoons pond 4. Also at the T. Section lagoons was a pair of Brolgas and a medium sized young and an additional 2 adults at the Q grassland ponds. Baillon’s and Spotted Crakes were also still in the reeds at T. Section lagoons pond 4. Interesting for the WTP, were 3 White-browed Woodswallows at the intersection of Paradise Rd and Point Wilson Rd. Martin Rowland and Maarten Hulzebosch Australian Koel Hawkesburn/Toorak These birds are still hanging around the city. One was calling this morning not far from the Hawksburn Station. Euan Moore Grey Plover, Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Grey Plover (1) Seen on spit Long-toed Stint (2) 1 on western lagoons 9 and 1 on pond 4 of t section Philip Peel, James Mustafa, Richard Arnold Thu 2 Jan Australian Koel Beechworth One calling near Lake Sambell in morning, also heard yesterday evening 1 Jan. Richard Loyn Song Thrush. Rear garden of large suburban block in Hoppers Crossing 3029. At 1445 hours, I observed a single Song Thrush in a bird bath in my rear garden. In the last week or so, I have observed this or another Song Thrush in the moist table drains along the street where I reside. Peter Gibbons Rufous Songlark Tanunda Wetlands, Mill Park Rufous Songlark (2) Great, close views of two birds, one on south side of main lake and one at north-eastern end. Rufous rump and streaked plumage showing beautifully. Have never seen them in the area. Owen Lishmund Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Still in Pond 9 at Western Lagoon – seen briefly around 3pm in green weed by the road, then flew to island in the middle. One Brolga in Western Lagoons. Dave Torr, Christine Shelley, Hans and Beatta from Sweden Wed 1 Jan Broad-billed Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Thanks to Jenny Spry’s report (31/12) I got up early. overcast warm windy at times Broad-billed Sandpiper (1) Western Lagoon pond 5, at the end of the central track (at 12:30 high tide, not present at 8 am) Long-toed Stint (2) Western Lagoons pond 9. Also Grey Plover, Pacific Golden Plover Curlew Angus Hartshorn Wed 1 Jan Painted Honeyeater Beechworth One calling in scattered trees with mistletoe 6 km south of Beechworth town (near Fighting Gully Road). There were many here Nov-Dec, fewer in last week of December. Richard Loyn & Debbie Tully Cape Barren Goose Western Treatment Plant, Werribee A pair of Cape Barren Geese at Lake Borrie on the grass just at the small bridge/culvert on the way to the bird hide. Francis Crome White-throated Needletail Wilby First big flock for this summer. Approximately 400 birds over the garden and nearby paddocks late morning. Michael Ramsey Broad-billed Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Pair of Cape Barren Geese at Lake Borrie braving the wind and rain on grass at narrow bridge/culvert on way to hide. Broad-billed Sandpiper still at Western Lagoon near gate 2. Francis Crome Silver Gull Lake Linlithgow Watched gulls (adults and juvenile) for 10-20 minutes as they were actually working together to collect up and eat bugs disturbed off the lakes edge. A small group (5-7) would line up in a row (police search line like) then walk along the beach snapping bugs as they disturbed them, heads held down in line with bod. They covered approximately 500m of beach then flew back to the start began again. I have seen individual gulls puddle in surf to disturb prey but never as a group working cooperatively. (Moderator’s note: published for interesting behaviour). Samantha Greiner Red-necked Avocet Jones Bay Wildlife Reserve 400+ Avocets on top end of Jones Bay at southern end of Phillips Lane southeast of Bairnsdale. John Hutchison Australian Painted Snipe Nr Horsham 2 snipe flushed at a spot I think is known locally as The Black Waterhole, approx 52 km from Horsham on the Wimmera Highway. Reflushed 1 bird & had fantastic views of female Painted Snipe as it flew in an arc around us. We spent some time looking, but could not relocate it. However the second bird flew around us, giving us great views of a male. Brian Johnston & Beth Carr Barking Owl Benalla Woken at 1:45 this morning by a Barking Owl that called for about 3 minutes from small trees outside our property in Killena Avenue. A good start to the new year even if I was unable to see it. Bill Morecraft Tue 31 Dec Black-tailed Native-hen Humevale. Whittlesea Golf Course. Two seen on the edge of the water hazard on the 13th hole. Christopher Kenneth Cobern Malleefowl Ouyen – Patchewollock Saw 6 Malleefowl in a stubble paddock close to the road.One came up very close to the children. I think one was a young bird. Dianne,Colin Stewart and family.Birdlife Mildura Pacific Golden-Plover, Eastern Curlew, Curlew Sandpiper Shallow Inlet Marine and Costal Park Pacific Golden-Plover (3) Seen out on a sandbar at low tide Eastern Curlew (1) Seen near the Plovers Curlew Sandpiper A couple amongst the 100s of Stints Vincent Knowles Long-toed Stint, Marsh Sandpiper. Western Treatment Plant, Werribee. At 1740 hours, I observed a single Long-toed Stint in the centre of the last pond (pond 9) of the Western Lagoons area, closest to the Murtcaim Outlet, as described by Jenny Spry. The Stint was harassed at times by a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Also in the pond were three Marsh Sandpipers. Peter Gibbons. Broad-billed Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee There was a Broad-billed Sandpiper in Western Lagoon pond 5, at the end of the central track, and the Long-toed Stint was in the farthest corner of pond 9, down by the Murtcain Outlet. Viewed from the track there were 6 Grey Plover, 3 Red Knot, 1 Far Eastern Curlew and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit in the long lagoon inside the spit. Pectoral Sandpipers were in Western Lagoon and Borrow Pit. Jenny Spry Further information on Satin Bowerbirds, Darebin Creek Darebin Ck, Alphington In April 2013 my son purchased the large house ‘Avalon’ in Rowe St, Alphington. The large neglected garden ran down to Darebin Creek and the cycle path.The former owners originally kept a mini-zoo there (I recall an Emu sometimes seen in the front garden), with Peafowl, andmany aviaries of parrots and other birds. I do not know if they ever kept Satin Bowerbirds, but my son’s family report that in early 2013 there was a bower full of blue plastic on the creek flat under a tamarisk bush. Work on the neglected garden included much grass-cutting and weed removal, and the bower did not survive goats, a flood, and lawn-mowing, though there are still several productive plum, peach, apple and pear trees nearby, and much blackberry. It seems quite possible that SBBs could maintain themselves as a free breeding population, and be the source of birds recently seen in the area. There may well be more observations made if observers look out for them along the Yarra and the Creek. Anthea Fleming Emerald Dove 18 Yarralea St, Alphington Emerald Dove feeding in my backyard at 06:45 today. Flew up to a fence and away east when I open the door to take a photo; not re-found. Called for a period. Unlike this week’s Satin Bowerbird, no evidence of rings or abnormal morphology, and seemed as confiding/shy as wild birds. [Thanks Guy. Most likely an escapee. If wild, this is an extraordinary record. It will be interesting to see if this bird is re-seen, or if any other Emerald Dove turn up in Vic. TD] Guy Dutson Mon 30 Dec Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Long-toed Stint (1) Last pond Western Lagoons, thanks to Tim Bawden. The bird banding didn’t scare them off. Very good look at 1 probably 2 others. Also Brown Falcon sitting on a post with a Willie Wagtail sitting on its back! Angus Hartshorn Mon 30 Dec Brown Quail Jawbone Reserve, Williamstown A group of five Brown Quail in arboretum area. I managed to get a picture as they stopped under a tree for a short moment Richard Arnold Mon 30 Dec Sanderling, Hooded Plover Killarney Beach On the beach there were 23 Sanderling busily feeding with the shallow waves, 3 pairs of adult Hooded Plovers (5 banded with rings), 3 Red-capped Plovers, a Pied Oystercatcher presumably nesting as well as an adult pair of Kelp Gulls. On the adjoining rocks were a pair of Sooty Oystercatchers, about 20 Red-necked Stint, 5 Ruddy Turnstones and 2 groups of Black-faced Cormorants. Edwin Vella Black-tailed Native-Hen Rocky Valley Dam Surprising at this altitude (1600m), seen crossing road, disappeared into alpine snow gum/heath, then re-emerged. Also flushed Latham’s Snipe from road-side drain on ridge between this site and Pretty Valley Pondage. Ian Sutherland Arctic Jaeger Port Phillip Bay At least 4 pale morph Arctic Jaegers seen from a boat between St. Kilda Marina and Chinaman’s Hat. A few roosting Black-faced Cormorants on the structure and a pod of about 15 dolphins close by. Falk Wicker Grey Goshawk (White Morph) Croydon This morning on the way to work (at roughly 8:45am) I saw a white morph Grey Goshawk over the Kent Rd/Maroondah Hwy intersection at Croydon, most likely a male based on its size. Tim Nickholds Brolga Western Treatment Plant, Werribee One pair of brolgas were photographed on Western Lagoon this morning. They were about 100 metres down the right hand dirt road as you enter the gate and gave great views, as they were right next to the to the road. There were so many vehicles down there this morning that they must have taken flight as they were no where to be seen when I left. Bernie OKeefe Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Inspired by Tim Bawden’s report yesterday, Hedley Earl and myself headed down to Western Lagoons in search of the LTS. After some searching in the northern most pond at Western Lagoon, we located one bird feeding on the edge of the pond. We were fortunate as not long after, bird banding was about to commence on this same pond, which will no doubt stir up many of the birds so I can’t guarantee it will remain there. The photo clearly shows a small stint with yellow legs and a long toe. Bernie OKeefe and Hedley Earl Sun 29 Dec Malleefowl Ouyen Patchewollock Road 2 seen around 8pm, but much harder find than I expected, one was in a harvested paddock beyond the ribbon of scrub . Unfortunately I also saw two Foxes (hopefully attracted by the more numerous Rabbits which were also present) David Mitford Mallee Emuwren Hattah-Kulkyne National Park 3 seen after hearing their calls at the T-intersection of Nowingi Track & Konardin Track around 6 pm. David Mitford Satin Bowerbird Ivanhoe Following the report of a Satin Bowerbird in Ivanhoe, a female seen well along the Yarra between Darebin Creek and Wilson Reserve. Presumed to be an escapee as it had a yellow ring and overgrown upper mandible, and was very confiding Digger Jackson c/o Guy Dutson Cicadbird, White-throated Needletail, Australian Raven Mortimer Picnic Ground, Bunyip, Vic About 40 White-throated Needletails were seen moving west above the trees. A pair of Cicadabirds were heard calling and one bird was seen in the dry forest across the road from the picnic area. A single Australian Raven flew into the picnic ground and landed on a dead branch in a gum. It was seen well and the call was heard. Jen Spry & Joy Tansey Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Banyule Flats Reserve Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (2) Along Main Yarra Trail near transmission lines. Good views, their calls drew my attention to them. Owen Lishmund Sat 28 Dec Black Falcon and Peregrine Falcon Mildura Whilst driving through Mildura saw a Black Falcon near Gol Gol recreation area (plus 35 Black Kites) and a Peregrine Falcon calling and flying around the tall radio tower into middle of town. David Mitford Fri 27 Dec Common Sandpiper (3) Kororoit Creek Nature Reserve, Altona North 3 Common Sandpipers seen together beside the causeway. Edwin Vella Osprey Painkalac Creek estuary, Aireys Inlet Sorry for late posting. Osprey seen hawking estuary, just behind the sand dunes. Great views for 5 minutes at about 10.30am. Tim Mckellar Thu 26 Dec Masked Woodswallow Eynesbury Forest One Masked Woodswallow in Eynesbury. Another drab looking woodswallow nearby, but not close enough for proper scrutiny, possible a female bird. Also about 100 White-browed Woodswallows everywhere. Daryl Akers Wed 25 Dec Australian Koel Bairnsdale & St Kilda Sorry, haven’t seen the bird; but the distinctive call in the wee-hours of the morning is a dead giveaway. Heard the male calling pretty much from 25 through 29 December in Bairnsdale. Upon returning to Melbourne, heard the male Koel again this morning in East St Kilda. Am unable to differentiate though, between the Eastern Koel or the Common Koel. Have never heard this bird before in either parts of the State. Linda Bullen Australian Koel Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne As recently reported,Koel heard calling briefly in the gardens at about 12pm. Ben Sinclair Mon 23 Dec Latham’s Snipe Lilydale Treatment Plant Latham’s Snipe (20 odd), New Holland Honeyeater, Red-browed Finches, Pink-eared Ducks, Hardheads, Aus Shovelers European Goldfinches and Cattle Egrets with Straw-necked Ibis. Snipe caught on trail cam. All spotted from outside Lilydale TP along the old Coldstream train tracks. Andrew Wallis Birdline Victoria is sponsored by BirdLife Victoria and hosted by Eremaea Birds. _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
